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Richardson's near miss
3rd July 2008
Rochdale town centre was transformed on Wednesday (2nd July) as the barriers and staging was erected for the 8th round of the British Cycling National Circuit Series.
With storm clouds that threatened dispersing shortly before the start of the Elite race, the riders lined up to be called forward as part of the gridding system that operates at such events. The flag was dropped and the race set off at break neck speed, the riders separated by millimetres.
The sharp 300 metre climb proved to be decisive as many attempts both started and ended on slopes before a significant advantage could be made. After a flurry of attacks the crucial group broke free from the peleton and gradually moved clear. All of the major teams were represented in the move as behind their team mates shut the race down to stop any further attacks bridging to the leaders.
Simon Richardson had found himself in the breakaway group and with half of the race gone was in a strong position. Despite their comfortable advantage the members of the break did not rest on their laurels and continued to attack each other to try to whittle down the numbers at the head of the race. Back in the peleton Tony Gibb was marking moves with team mate Tom Barras and trying to find an opportunity to jump across the gap to the leaders.
15 minutes from the end of the race Russell Downing and Chris Newton attacked the break, one lap later Simon Richardson joined the duo after a lone chase. The peleton now had gained momentum and had caught the remnants of the earlier breakaway. Richardson however succumbed to his previous efforts and following yet another attack from Downing found himself tailed off by the leaders. He was captured with a few laps remaining as the team tried to bring the lead duo back before the finish line. Such was the speed of the leaders that this proved impossible as Newton took the win after a photo finish decision.
Results
1. Chris Newton Rapha-Condor /Recycling.co.uk
2. Russ Downing Pinarello R.T.
3. Kristian House Rapha-Condor /Recycling.co.uk
14. Tom Barras Plowman Craven R.T.
23. Simon Gaywood Plowman Craven R.T.
24. Simon Richardson Plowman Craven R.T.
26. James Millard Plowman Craven R.T.
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